The presence of birds can have negative impacts on a facility, leading to health hazards and image problems.

Maintenance professionals like building service contractors and custodial professionals are often the first to know about any issues that occur at the building(s) where they provide services.

Maintenance professionals are the eyes and ears of the building.

When repairs are needed, these professionals are the “go to” persons, putting responsibility on them and trust in them to do the job.

When birds are causing problems on buildings, knowing how to recognize the type of bird problem is essential for maintenance professionals to help eliminate the problem.

The presence of pest birds may have several negative impacts: Health hazards, legal issues, unnecessary cleanup costs and repairs, loss of goods and negative image.

Birds can carry any of over 60 known transmittable diseases that put customers and staff at potential risk of being infected through direct or indirect contact with bird feces.

Birds in a building could cause health code violations.

Depending on the type of business it could also result in fines, temporary closure and possible loss of goods, if contaminated.

Bird droppings may also cause “slip and fall” injuries, increasing the legal liability for building owners, managers and maintenance professionals.

If left unattended, the unsightly mess of birds defecating and nesting in visible areas of buildings could have a negative impact on a company’s image.

Finally, pest bird droppings are acidic.

The feces can stain and corrode building materials — leading to cleanup and repair costs.

Most Effective Means Of Bird Control

Once maintenance professionals are able to recognize the type of bird problem, they will be better equipped to advise the building owners and managers on the appropriate method to take to solve the bird problem.

So how do you determine the problem?

The difference between birds landing, roosting and nesting is important when determining a solution.

Birds landing and roosting are looking for food and watching for predators; they touch down and go again as they please.

They will sit in areas that are high above the ground and near the edge — building ledges, rafters, etc.

Birds nesting, however, are a different situation; they set up home in preparation of laying eggs and raising their young.

Nesting birds will find covered areas such as overhangs, eaves, signs, air conditioning units and similar locations.

Nesting birds will also defend their territory, making it more difficult to move them.

Solutions for nesting versus roosting birds can be quite different.

Physical bird deterrents, such as bird spikes, flat track electrical systems or bird wire are great for preventing birds from landing on buildings.

For nesting situations, full exclusion is required to keep the birds out of unwanted areas.

Most bird species are creatures of habit when it comes to nesting; thus, they will return year after year to the same place to build a nest.

For this reason, 100 percent exclusion is recommended to keep birds from trying relentlessly to build a nest in this area.

Either bird netting or bird slope is the best method for preventing birds from entering an area entirely.

Bird Control Options And How They Work

For implementation of any bird control system, the cleanup process is extremely important.

In order for the products to be as effective as possible, it is important to remove all feces and debris left behind by the birds.

Special products are available to ensure the area is clean, sanitary and ready for installation.

Bird Spikes are designed to keep larger birds, like pigeons, crows and seagulls, from landing and roosting in unwanted areas.\

The bird spikes create an uneven surface making it impossible for birds to land in the treated area.

Bird spikes are a humane solution to bird control and can be used on ledges, parapet walls, eaves, I-beams, signs, awnings, canopies, light posts and other areas of buildings where birds are landing.

Bird wire consists of a nylon-coated stainless steel wire that is suspended between a series of posts.

The wire is attached to springs, when birds try to land on the wire; the springs make an unstable landing surface causing them to move on.

Bird wire is recommended only for large birds.

Bird Netting is used as a physical bird barrier to prevent birds from landing, roosting or nesting in unwanted areas.

The netting can be found in several materials, colors, sizes, etc.

If using in direct sunlight, make sure the netting is made of heavy-duty, UV protected polyethylene mesh to withstand sun exposure and prevent premature breakdown.

Also, be sure the netting is tested by the manufacturer using ISO 1806 and 9001 protocols.

The professional hardware required for bird netting is also important.

Make sure the supplier has all the necessary and appropriate tools and hardware available.

Bird netting works on all types of birds.

Bird Slope is an anti-perching, anti-roosting deterrent that is effective against all types of birds.

It is ideal for ledges, eaves, beams and other angled areas where birds are nesting or roosting.

Bird slope is uniquely angled to make it impossible for birds to land or nest in 90-degree angled areas.

Bird slope is made of UV protected PVC that is both weather and sun resistant.

No assembly is necessary and installation is easy with adhesive.

Extenders can be useful for ledges up to 10-inches wide.

If using bird slope, it is important to install end caps (if ends are open) so birds do not attempt to nest behind the slope.

Bird control products can be as easy as gluing down spikes or as challenging as installing bird netting.

If assistance is needed for installation, contact the product manufacturer for a list of authorized installers in your area.

Ashley Johnson a marketing specialist at Bird-B-Gone Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of professional grade bird deterrents. We offer effective and humane solutions to prevent birds from landing or roosting in unwanted areas. Since 1992 our products have helped solve pest bird problems in commercial, industrial and residential settings across the globe. We proudly manufacture our products in the U.S. ensuring the industry’s highest standard of quality and allowing us to offer the longest guarantees. Visit: www.BirdBGone.com; e-mail us: NoBirds@BirdBGone.com; call: (800) 392-6915

Ashley Johnson a marketing specialist at Bird-B-Gone Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of professional grade bird deterrents. We offer effective and humane solutions to prevent birds from landing or roosting in unwanted areas. Since 1992 our products have helped solve pest bird problems in commercial, industrial and residential settings across the globe. We proudly manufacture our products in the U.S. ensuring the industry’s highest standard of quality and allowing us to offer the longest guarantees. Visit: www.BirdBGone.com; e-mail us: NoBirds@BirdBGone.com; call: (800) 392-6915